Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials by Self-assembling Methods
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Date
2008-01-24T19:36:28Z
Authors
Yang, Hong
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Waterloo
Abstract
This thesis reported synthesis of TiO2 nanostructures and Fe2O3 nanostructures and studied on
self-assembling process. The morphologies, compositions, and physicochemical properties of
the prepared samples were characterized by TEM, FESEM, XRD, FTIR, UV, and SQUID etc.
Nanoparticles of transition metal oxides own their special function to become an interesting hot
research topic in the recent decades. In particular, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
can be used as drug delivery agent and new hard disc drive materials. They have wide
application in environment industry as well. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles can be applied in
photocatalysts, UV protectors and dye sensitive solar cell etc. Their wide industrial
applications for advanced technology development motivate scientists to develop simple,
economical and novel synthetic methods, and explore their applications, so that the
commercialization of the production of the nanomaterials becomes feasible.
The objective of this project is to develop an effective, simple and economical technical route
for synthesis of nanosized iron oxide and titanium oxide particles/rods/films. The approach and
the progress are outlined as follows.
Based on extensive literature reading on the project related area, a novel self-assembling
technical route for iron oxide nanostructure and architecture was proposed which has been
confirmed to be effective. Detailed experimental investigation on the synthesis of
nanoparticles/rods, and instrumental characterization of the particle size, structure, and
crystallites, etc. via TEM, FESEM, XRD, FTIR, UV, SQUID are conducted. Uniform nanorods
of hematite iron oxide and titanium oxide nanospheres, and anatase TiO2 thin film with
micropores have been successfully achieved. Some preliminary exploration for applications of
the synthesized nanomaterials has also been carried out.
Firstly, a novel assembled scheme of iron oxide nanostructure and architecture by selfassembling
process was investigated. The sol-gel technical route was employed to synthesize
nearly uniform nanorods of hematite particles. Morphologies and physicochemical properties
of iron oxide nanostructure were characterized by analytical instrument.
Secondly, titanium oxide nanospheres were synthesized via a hydrothermal process using
titanium isopropoxide as the precursor. Titanium oxide nanospheres with inner nanospace andhighly organized crystallites in the shell structure and surface regions were synthesized. It
demonstrated that the technical route developed in this work has a high versatility for structural
engineering of various targeted morphological products.
Thirdly, a simple process of preparing anatase TiO2 thin film with micropores was pursued.
The synthesized nano thin film with micropores was used for the material of dye-sensitive solar
cell; and effective electron transfer of titanium oxide electrode was confirmed by
electrochemical voltammetry. Preparation of the titanium oxide electrode and its
electrochemical analysis was studied. The application of the titanium oxide of microporous
thin film material as a promoter for electrochemistry voltammetry measuring system was
explored in this thesis.
In conclusion, the iron oxide nanorods with superparamagnetic property were successfully
synthesized by a simple method with low cost materials. Titanium oxide hollow nanospheres
were achieved by the assistance of copolymer template. Titanium oxide thin film with
microporous structure with significantly high efficiency in electron transfer was realized.
Further researches on the synthesis of hybrid iron oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles, their
crystal growth architecture and mechanism, as well as exploration of their applications are
recommended.
Description
Keywords
synthesis, nanoparticles, nanorods, nanospheres, self-assembling, iron oxide